Citrus Swallowtail caterpillar in defensive posture.
When feeling threatened, as is the case here, the caterpillar will extend this impressive double branched horn-like protuberance to ward off attackers.
In this instance the threat was moi as I was attempting to gently lift the caterpillar from the leaf it was on to relocate it.
As I let go the ”horn” was slowly retracted.
This is Number 2 of 7 Citrus Swallowtail larvae/caterpillar I have recovered from the lemon tree seedlings I am growing.
As before, the Caterpillars will be placed in empty 5ltr water bottles to allow them to cocoon and go through their metamorphosis.
Number 1 is already busy cacooning while the other 5 are still in the first larval form. And I have been on the lookout every day for new hatchlings.
If we have a 100% success rate then there will soon be butterflies for Africa in my office.
Ark.
might it not have been just as easy to take leaf and all? If he’s that attached (unintentional pun there) to it, let him have the leaf…
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And this is what I did! I had to move him to another plant, so I removed the leaf and gently shoved him to the new seedling.
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Hello Ark. Outstanding and awesome. Hugs
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Thank you, Scottie. Fingers crossed he/she hangs in until the butterfly stage
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Hello Ark. I look forward to the pictures of the new butterflies. Hugs
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WOW!!! Ark, can you imagine how bonkers-turned-on the females would get if we men had TWO “massive, impressive, double-branched, probing, horn-like protuberances of ecstasy“!!! And perfectly spaced together for even MORE monumental, flexible, adaptable female engagements no less!!! You and I would be happily protuberanced caterpillaring ROCK STARS!!! 😈 Wow, I see all the Dames lining up at your door Ark! 😉
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Oh! And marvelous pics of our never-ending, interconnected ecosystems that your home, called Arkesatan’s Spectacular Botanical Arboretum of Creatures & Critters to Overwhelm the Senses, a home of many splendors of life and mystery… adding to this living, breathing planet we call Earth, Home. 😁
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At this rate, we might import butterflies from your spot😀
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No kidding Maka! Lol
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I propose he starts doing capitalism right by opening a wholesale butterfly shop
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Just grow what they like to eat and they will soon appear.
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I rarely see butterflies in Nairobi. Maybe something to do with air pollution
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I doubt there are that many butterflies in most major cities – other than in a few parks or similar green spaces.
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